S.C. Red Cross puts out call for blood donations

With the prospect that Hurricane Matthew might cancel some Red Cross blood drives along the East Coast, the organization is calling for blood donations.

The Red Cross plans to send more blood products to places hit by the incoming storm. But the need for blood of all types is urgent, the organization said.

Donors showed up Thursday at the Red Cross center in Columbia and exceeded the normal amount of blood supplies, but some donors canceled Friday, a supervisor at the center said Friday. Cancellations occurred likely because donors are preparing for the local impact of the storm.

“We saw a slight uptick yesterday,” said Red Cross spokesman Joe Hayes. But, “We’re still in an urgent need for the blood supply.”

Eligible donors who are in areas unlikely to be as affected by the hurricane are urged to schedule appointments.